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Computerists

blog.fogus.me

31–40 of 64 posts

Re: Computerists

#31
It's worth noting that "computer" used to be a job title itself, before mechanical computers replaced human computers.

Now that a computer is a machine that executes sets of instructions issued to it by humans, I think "Computer Programmer" is a perfectly descriptive job title for any human that authors those sets of instructions.

Whether or not a computer programmer is also a scientist is more a function of their training than their job title/description.

Re: Computerists

#32

In my university, they had computer science (which was basically maths that became algorithms), software engineering (which many people think is computer science), and computer applications, which was what some people call "informatics". Computer science is an overused term for something that is closer to maths but thought to be closer to engineering.

We also had a computer engineering dept which mostly consisted of sticking 7400 series TTL chips in breadboards, later VHDL/Verilog. Basically the EE curriculum with more computer topic classes and less analog/RF classes.

And like the rest of the engineering dept there was "real" (aka theoretical) and "technology" (applied) degrees. One of my degrees is a AS in EE-T although I went right into computers for the BSCS (with the idea of getting into embedded using the AS-EET as leverage, which I have never managed to do, LOL)

Re: Computerists

#33
Personally, even though I have a BS in Physics, have done research for 4 years, and develop software exclusively with astrophysics experiments at a physics lab (I'm even on the most cited astronomy paper of 2012)... I have a hard time calling myself a physicist, or even an engineer for that matter.

Calling myself a "computerist" or even a "computer scientist" would feel a lot like I'd be furthering the dilution of titles with the inclusion of mediocrity, akin to the "technical support engineer".

Re: Computerists

#34
post #21

Most people who get a BS in biology end up becoming scientific biologists, though they might apply things that they've learned about biology in more practitioner type careers. Most people who get a BS in computer science don't go on to be "computer scientists", though they hopefully apply things they've learned in practitioner type careers. Of course people without serious research oriented training/education/focus a…

Most people who define themselves as having a BS in bio (as opposed to it merely being a stepping stone) work as lab techs ranging from $10/hr pharmacy techs up to maybe $25/hr at a med testing lab in an expensive cost of living area. At least in the old days. Currently, probably near half end up as waitresses and bartenders, completely out of the field. Most people who get a BS in computer science (not as a stepping…

[deleted]

Re: Computerists

#35
post #21

Most people who get a BS in biology end up becoming scientific biologists, though they might apply things that they've learned about biology in more practitioner type careers. Most people who get a BS in computer science don't go on to be "computer scientists", though they hopefully apply things they've learned in practitioner type careers. Of course people without serious research oriented training/education/focus a…

Most people who define themselves as having a BS in bio (as opposed to it merely being a stepping stone) work as lab techs ranging from $10/hr pharmacy techs up to maybe $25/hr at a med testing lab in an expensive cost of living area. At least in the old days. Currently, probably near half end up as waitresses and bartenders, completely out of the field. Most people who get a BS in computer science (not as a stepping…

>Most people who get a BS in computer science (not as a stepping stone to a PHD or whatever, etc) end up on helpdesks, maybe pulling cable or replacing mice...

I'm gonna need to see some evidence to back that up before I believe it. Based on the experiences of everyone I know with a CS degree, that is completely wrong.

Are you confusing CS with CIS?

>maybe $8/hr no benes at a call center but at least more or less in their field.

I made more than $8 an hour at my first retail job. If you have a CS degree and you're making $8 an hour, something is very wrong.

Re: Computerists

#36
post #15
post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Systems Engineer, note the plural on "systems." Don't shy away from this, it's a title that has existed for decades and you're in good company. Resist title inflation!

But in many industries, defense and aerospace in particular, systems engineers are people who integrate multiple technologies to build systems (such as an aircraft or missile). They don't manage computer systems.

This confusion has been a major annoyance to me, since I spent several years as a classical systems engineer. To make matters worse, I actually wrote code in those roles (C, Fortran, and Matlab) and was at one point a real-time embedded software engineer in all but title.

Re: Computerists

#37
post #19
post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Well come on, why not consider context? There is no objective meaning of "democratic" outside of the ideal that no country satisfies, so what we can conclude is that in just about all cases it's to differentiate the governments from their predecessors. It just sounds a little out of place because no country called themselves anything like "The Glorious Dictatorship of Central Africa," or, "Plundered Colony of France,…

> There is no objective meaning of "democratic" outside of the ideal that no country satisfies, so what we can conclude is that in just about all cases it's to differentiate the governments from their predecessors. Oh come on, you can generalize that argument to practically anything. No real world examples live up to their platonic ideals so who cares if you call a duck a horse, it's just to differentiate it from a d…

you can generalize that argument to practically anything

Maybe, but that's not what I'm doing. I'm arguing for an implied "More-" before "democratic." That's what I mean by context.

Re: Computerists

#38
post #15
post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Systems Engineer, note the plural on "systems." Don't shy away from this, it's a title that has existed for decades and you're in good company. Resist title inflation!

But in many industries, defense and aerospace in particular, systems engineers are people who integrate multiple technologies to build systems (such as an aircraft or missile). They don't manage computer systems.

Are we talking about those industries? It's a valid title for many sectors, and is perfectly cromulent for OS/Neteng roles.

Re: Computerists

#39
post #35
post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Most people who define themselves as having a BS in bio (as opposed to it merely being a stepping stone) work as lab techs ranging from $10/hr pharmacy techs up to maybe $25/hr at a med testing lab in an expensive cost of living area. At least in the old days. Currently, probably near half end up as waitresses and bartenders, completely out of the field. Most people who get a BS in computer science (not as a stepping…

>Most people who get a BS in computer science (not as a stepping stone to a PHD or whatever, etc) end up on helpdesks, maybe pulling cable or replacing mice... I'm gonna need to see some evidence to back that up before I believe it. Based on the experiences of everyone I know with a CS degree, that is completely wrong. Are you confusing CS with CIS? >maybe $8/hr no benes at a call center but at least more or less in…

I tried googling around and cannot find any direct evidence. I will say there is a feast/famine effect and right now in the hot areas looks better than I've seen since the late 90s.

Re: Computerists

#40
A lot of trained computer scientists work primarily as engineers. Sometimes engineers do science. Sometimes scientists do engineering. In my experience it's not clear cut.

Depending on the sub field of CS, some academics do mostly engineering stuff with (hopefully) rigorous evaluations of their work, while others (HCI in particular) do a lot of formal science.

Outside of a handful places (like MSR and similar) people with computer science training generally don't participate in the production of new knowledge within the framework of the scientific method. But usually they could, if needed.

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